A class action lawsuit accuses logistics firm Forsage of allegedly misclassifying its workers as independent contractors, among other alleged violations of federal and Illinois labor laws.
The lawsuit was filed Feb. 1 in Chicago federal court by attorneys Bradley Manewith, Harold Lichten and Olena Savytska, of the firm of Lichten & Liss-Riordan, of Boston and Northbrook.
The suit was filed on behalf of named plaintiffs Dionte Revels, Contrell Shumate Jr., and Thomas Alvin Glover, as well as all current and former delivery drivers employed by Forsage.
According to the lawsuit, the truckers worked 70 hours a week for Forsage, hauling materials in trucks owned by Forsage and carrying Forsage's brand, and were dispatched through Forsage.
The lawsuit claims the truckers were required to sign agreements classifying them as independent contractors.
The plaintiffs assert the alleged misclassification allegedly dropped their pay low enough to violate state and federal wage laws. They further allege the company deducted funds from their wages and required them to bear expenses that should have been covered by the company.
The plaintiffs are seeking to represent all current and former delivery drivers who have contracted with Forsage since Feb. 1, 2014.
The lawsuit also includes claims under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act on behalf of all current and former delivery drivers who have provided services for Forsage between Feb. 1, 2021, and now.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to order Forsage to pay them allegedly unpaid wages, restitution for operating expenses and other alleged improper deductions, statutory damages and attorney fees, among other damages.